Another roving Lincoln was Thor II of the Empire Air Armament School at Manby. RF523 survived until 1957 and was used to demonstrate the latest in bombing technology. Seen at Tengah on 10 February 1949, the aircraft in the background are, from left to right, a Transport Command York, a Liberator, and a civilian DC-4 and Constellation.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Avro Lincoln / Type 694 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1944Avro York / Type 685 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942Consolidated B-24 Liberator - СШАUSA - 1939Douglas DC-4 / C-54 / R5D Skymaster - СШАUSA - 1942Lockheed Constellation C-69 / C-121 - СШАUSA - 1943

Curtiss BFC-2 A9273 of Saratoga's VB-3B, presumably after overturning on landing. The BFC was classed as a bomber and used for dive-bombing as diversion tactics while torpedo-bombers did the damage. A 50-gallon fuel tank is fitted under the fuselage but could be replaced by a 500-lb bomb. The BFC remained in service until February 1938. The location looks like North Island.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Curtiss F11C / Hawk II / BFC-2 / Model 35 - СШАUSA - 1932

No.33 Squadron flew Tempest F.2s between October 1946 and June 1951, first in Germany and then, from August 1949, in Malaya. SR516 (PR916 ???) carries No.33's codes of 5R-B.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hawker Tempest - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1943

Another attempt to overcome the problem of firing ahead in an aircraft was the Armstrong Whitworth F.K.6. Two gunners sat in pulpits on the central wing, the pilot being aft of the wing structure, without much of a view. Intended as an anti-Zeppelin fighter, and possibly for escorting other aircraft, only 7838 was built before the concept was abandoned.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Armstrong Whitworth F.K.6 / F.K.12 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1916

Not the Swiss Air Force, but a Douglas BT-1 of the Illinois Air Guard. The O-2 series of 'observation' aircraft was built to replace the many D.H.4s used in this role and the final version, the O-2K, was re-designated BT-1 as a basic trainer, i.e. one step up from a primary trainer. 60 were built with the wartime-vintage Liberty engine and remained in use until 1935. The photo was taken at Chicago Airport, with a Boeing 247 in the background.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing Model 247 - СШАUSA - 1933Douglas O-2 / BT - СШАUSA - 1924

Bombing Command Bombing School's Lincoln RE348 carries the name Atlas and was snapped while passing through Shaibah on 17 May 1946. There appears to be only a single gun in the nose turret and a rather flimsy ladder is placed against the nose. The engines are running but where is the pilot?

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Avro Lincoln / Type 694 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1944

Landing an amphibian on the sea with the wheels down is not recommended. This is the result of Grumman J2F-2 0275 of VJ-2, based on USS Rigel, doing just that. The position of the 'Neutrality Star' on the nose places the date as after the outbreak of war.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman JF / J2F Duck - СШАUSA - 1933

Alternatively, one should put the wheels down when landing on an airfield, as this Grumman J2F-2A, 1198, of VMS-3 failed to do. Marine Service Squadron Three was based at Charlotte Amalie, on St.Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, being the equivalent of a Fleet Air Arm Fleet Requirements Unit with a variety of tasks and a mixture of aircraft.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman JF / J2F Duck - СШАUSA - 1933

Being towed in to the ramp at Kalafrana is a CAMS 55/1 of 4E1, based at Bizerte/Karouba. These twin-engined boats formed the backbone of French maritime reconnaissance during the 1930s and later versions were still in service at the outbreak of war. Note Kalafrana's famous badge on the banking.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: CAMS CAMS 55 - ФранцияFrance - 1928

Not a photograph of N8209, which was never built, but Sopwith Baby 8209 marked as US Navy A-407. In 1917, a number of Babies were shipped out to the USA to provide operational training for USN training units preparing pilots for service in Europe after America entered the First World War in 1917. Note the armed sentry and the multipurpose tail trestle.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sopwith Schneider/Baby - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1914

Spitfire FR.XVIII TP408 of the Fighter Command Control and Reporting School at Middle Wallop in May, 1947, bearing the unit's code 3L-B. The School was actually based at Rudloe Manor, at Box, but its aircraft operated from Middle Wallop although Box is only a few miles from Colerne.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire FR.XIV / FR.XVIII / PR.XIX - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1943

Not a kit for the home-builder but the uncovered Sage 2 two-seat fighter, probably the first fighter to have a fully-enclosed cockpit. At a time when gun synchronising was being developed, the layout enabled the gunner to have a wide field of fire. With a 100 hp Gnome, performance was good but the future lay in aircraft like the Pup with forward-firing gun. If developed, the Sage 2 might have made a useful night fighter.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sage No.2 Scout - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1916